NBA Predictions: Three Picks for Monday, Including Hawks-Lakers and Spurs-Suns

The San Antonio Spurs are the hottest team in the NBA with eight straight victories but they don’t own the top record in the Western Conference.

The Los Angeles Lakers possess that mark with a 9-2 record and they even beat the Detroit Pistons on Sunday without NBA scoring leader Luka Doncic. LeBron James exited the Lakers in the offseason and thus far, Los Angeles is a significantly better team without the King as it enters Monday’s road game against the Atlanta Hawks.

Victor Wembanyama is playing like the true king of the NBA and he will look to help San Antonio improve to 5-0 on the road this season when it plays the Phoenix Suns. Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors also are in action against the New Orleans Pelicans.

LOS ANGELES LAKERS AT ATLANTA HAWKS

Doncic averages 40.1 points per game and it appears only his own back can stop him. Sunday marks the second time he missed a game due to back soreness. He put up 33 shots and scored a season-high 53 points in Friday’s 124-118 home win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Austin Reaves delivered a solid Doncic impression with a season-best 43 points in the 121-116 road win over the Pistons. Reaves was 14-of-27 shooting – making four 3s – and hit all 11 free throws in his big outing.

The Hawks were off Sunday and now catch the Lakers on a road back-to-back. Meanwhile, Atlanta has won four consecutive games and has been led by Nickeil Alexander-Walker (22.1) in the early going. He has scored 20 or more points in six of the last seven games and he tied his career high of nine treys and scored 34 points in a victory over the Indiana Pacers on Nov. 2.

Hawks plus 2.5-points spread, -105

SAN ANTONIO SPURS AT PHOENIX SUNS

The Spurs began a four-game road trip by beating the Sacramento Kings by 15 and the Portland Trail Blazers by 21 and will look for another impressive win against the Suns. Wembanyama scored 29 points in Portland on Saturday but sat out the fourth quarter due to San Antonio’s large lead.

The early to his night cost Wembanyama a chance at his fifth 30-point effort in six games. Of course, his Wednesday performance against the Dallas Mavericks won’t soon be forgotten as Wemby established career highs of 52 points and 24 rebounds and also blocked eight shots. He is fourth in the NBA in both scoring (29.1) and rebounding (12.0).

Phoenix dropped five of its first six games but won its last two games, beating the Orlando Magic on Thursday and Houston Rockets on Saturday. As usual, Devin Booker is carrying the Suns and he has scored 20 points in seven of eight games, topped by a 43-point effort in a win over the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 24.

Devin Booker to scored 25-plus points, -104

NEW ORLEANS PELICANS AT GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

That 0-3 start has quickly been forgotten now that the Warriors have rattled off seven straight victories. Golden State is looking to complete an unbeaten six-game homestand that includes wins over the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat.

Stephen Curry topped 40 points for the second time this season when he poured in 41 points in Saturday’s 126-119 overtime win over the Orlando Magic. First-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg (21.2 points, 7.2 rebounds) seems to be in a big hurry to become an All-Star.

New Orleans has been streaky with four straight losses followed by four consecutive wins and now has lost back-to-back games after Sunday’s 139-123 road loss against the Los Angeles Clippers. So far, Zion Williamson has been able to stay healthy by playing in nine of 10 games and leading the squad with a 20.6 scoring average.

Warriors minus 8.5 points spread, -116